Fastener cartridge comprising an extendable firing member

ABSTRACT

A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The fastener cartridge and/or surgical instrument can include an anvil. The fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body including a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities. The fastener cartridge can comprise fasteners at least partially stored within the fastener cavities, and a firing member configured to move the fasteners toward the anvil. The firing member can comprise a first ramp and a second ramp configured to lift the fasteners toward the anvil, and means for extending the first ramp relative to the second ramp. The fastener cartridge can further comprise means for retracting the first ramp relative to the second ramp. In various instances, the first ramp and/or the second ramp can directly lift the fasteners. In certain instances, the fastener cartridge can include fastener drivers which are directly lifted by the first ramp and/or the second ramp.

FIELD

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousarrangements, to surgical cutting and fastening instruments that aredesigned to cut and fasten tissue, fastener cartridges therefor, andsurgical fasteners that are designed for use therewith.

BACKGROUND

Surgical staplers are often used to deploy staples into soft tissue toreduce or eliminate bleeding from the soft tissue, especially as thetissue is being transected, for example. Surgical staplers, such as anendocutter, for example, can comprise an end effector which can bemoved, or articulated, with respect to an elongated shaft assembly. Endeffectors are often configured to secure soft tissue between first andsecond jaw members where the first jaw member often includes a staplecartridge which is configured to removably store staples therein and thesecond jaw member often includes an anvil. Such surgical staplers caninclude a closing system for pivoting the anvil relative to the staplecartridge.

Surgical staplers, as outlined above, can be configured to pivot theanvil of the end effector relative to the staple cartridge in order tocapture soft tissue therebetween. In various circumstances, the anvilcan be configured to apply a clamping force to the soft tissue in orderto hold the soft tissue tightly between the anvil and the staplecartridge. If a surgeon is unsatisfied with the position of the endeffector, however, the surgeon must typically activate a releasemechanism on the surgical stapler to pivot the anvil into an openposition and then reposition the end effector. Thereafter, staples aretypically deployed from the staple cartridge by a sled which traverses achannel in the staple cartridge and causes the staples to be deformedagainst the anvil and secures layers of the soft tissue together. Thesled can engage drivers positioned between the staples and the sled todeploy the staples from the staple cartridge. Often, as known in theart, the staples are deployed in several staple lines, or rows, in orderto more reliably secure the layers of tissue together. Staples aretypically deformed to a “B-form” by the anvil of the end effector. Theend effector may also include a cutting member, such as a knife, forexample, which is advanced between rows of the staples to resect thesoft tissue after the layers of the soft tissue have been stapledtogether.

Such surgical staplers and end effectors may be sized and configured tobe inserted into a body cavity through a trocar or other access opening.The end effector is typically coupled to an elongated shaft that issized to pass through the trocar or opening. The elongated shaftassembly is often operably coupled to a handle that supports controlsystems and/or triggers for controlling the operation of the endeffector. To facilitate proper location and orientation of the endeffector within the body, many surgical instruments are configured tofacilitate articulation of the end effector relative to a portion of theelongated shaft.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and shouldnot be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner ofattaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a handle assembly of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an end effector of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge of the end effectorof FIG. 3 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 4 taken along the plane indicated in FIG. 4 according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the staple depicted in the staplecartridge of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a right elevation view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a left elevation view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the staple of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of the staple of FIG. 6 and a sled of theend effector of FIG. 3, depicting a leading surface of the sledcontacting an initial drive surface of the staple, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the staple and the sled of FIG. 14,depicting the leading surface of the sled contacting the initial drivesurface of the staple;

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the staple and the sled of FIG. 14,depicting a trailing surface of the sled contacting a secondary drivesurface of the staple, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the staple and the sled of FIG. 14,depicting the trailing surface of the sled contacting the secondarydrive surface of the staple;

FIGS. 18-21 are cross-sectional elevation views of the end effector ofFIG. 3, depicting a firing progression of staples from the staplecartridge, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the staple cartridge andthe sleds of FIG. 3, depicting the staples in unfired positions,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting the staples in the unfired positionsdepicted in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting a proximal pair of staples in partiallyfired positions and the remaining staples in unfired positions,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting the proximal pair of staples in thepartially fired positions depicted in FIG. 24 and the remaining staplesin the unfired positions depicted in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting multiple pairs of staples in partially firedpositions and the proximal pair of staples in partially deformedconfigurations, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting the multiple pairs of staples in thepartially fired positions of FIG. 26 and the proximal pair of staples inthe partially deformed configurations depicted in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting multiple pairs of staples in further firedpositions and the proximal pair of staples in further deformedconfigurations, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting the multiple pairs of staples in thepartially fired positions depicted in FIG. 28 and the proximal pair ofstaples in the partially deformed configurations depicted in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting multiple pairs of staples in partially firedpositions and in partially deformed configurations and the proximal pairof staples in ejected positions and in fully deformed configurations,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge and thesleds of FIG. 22, depicting the multiple pairs of staples in thepartially fired positions and in the partially deformed configurationsdepicted in FIG. 30 and the proximal pair of staples in the ejectedpositions and in the fully deformed configurations depicted in FIG. 30;

FIGS. 32A-32C illustrate a method for forming staples from a sheet ofmaterial according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the staple formed from the methoddepicted in FIGS. 32A-32C, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a plan view of the staple of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation view of the staple of FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a staple according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of the staple of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of the staple of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a staple according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a plan view of the staple of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of the staple of FIG. 41;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 45 taken along the plane indicated in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a staple according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a plan view of the staple of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 48;

FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of the staple of FIG. 48;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a staple according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 53 is a plan view of the staple of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a front elevation view of the staple of FIG. 52;

FIG. 55 is a side elevation view of the staple of FIG. 52;

FIG. 56 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 4, depicting a staple in a partially-fired position ina staple cavity, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 57 is a partial plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 56,depicting the staple in the partially-fired position depicted in FIG.56;

FIG. 58 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 56, depicting the staple in the partially-firedposition depicted in FIG. 56;

FIG. 59 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 56, depicting the staple in another partially-firedposition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 60 is a partial, plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 56,depicting the staple in the partially-fired position depicted in FIG.59;

FIG. 61 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 56, depicting the staple in the partially-firedposition depicted in FIG. 59;

FIG. 62 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 56, depicting the staple in an ejected position and ina deformed configuration, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 63 is a partial plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 56,depicting the staple in the ejected position and in the deformedconfiguration depicted in FIG. 62;

FIG. 64 is a partial, cross-sectional elevation view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 56, depicting the staple in the ejected position andthe deformed configuration depicted in FIG. 62;

FIG. 65 is an exploded perspective view of an end effector comprising aplurality of fasteners and a firing actuator configured to eject thefasteners from the end effector according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 66 is a plan view of a first portion of the fastener firingactuator of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is an elevational view of the first portion of FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a plan view of a second portion of the fastener firingactuator of FIG. 65;

FIG. 69 is an elevational view of the second portion of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the firing actuator in an unfired, unextended condition;

FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the firing actuator in an extended condition;

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the firing actuator in an extended, advanced condition;

FIG. 73 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating an anvil of the end effector in an open position and thefiring actuator in an unfired, unextended condition;

FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the anvil in a closed position and the firing actuator inan unfired, unextended condition;

FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 73;

FIG. 76 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 74;

FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the firing actuator in an extended condition and, inaddition, a knife member in an unadvanced position;

FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 65illustrating the firing actuator in an advanced, extended condition andthe knife member in an advanced position;

FIG. 79 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in a fully-fired condition;

FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 80;

FIG. 82 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 80;

FIG. 83 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrating the knife member in a retracted position;

FIG. 84 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end effector ofFIG. 65 illustrated in the configuration depicted in FIG. 83;

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the firing member of the end effectorof FIG. 65 illustrated in the unextended configuration depicted in FIG.74;

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the firing member of the end effectorof FIG. 65 illustrated in the extended configuration depicted in FIG.77;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the firing member of the end effectorof FIG. 65 illustrated in a configuration just prior to the fully-firedconfiguration depicted in FIG.80;

FIG. 88 is a perspective view of the firing member of the end effectorof FIG. 65 illustrated in the fully-fired configuration depicted in FIG.80;

FIG. 89 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector including a firingactuator configured to eject fasteners from a fastener cartridgeillustrating the firing actuator in an unfired position;

FIG. 90 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 89illustrating the firing actuator in a partially fired position;

FIG. 91 is a plan view of a staple cartridge body of the end effector ofFIG. 89;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of a firing actuator for use with thecartridge body of FIG. 91;

FIG. 93 is a perspective view of the cartridge body of FIG. 91; and

FIG. 94 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge body of FIG. 91 takenalong line 94-94 in FIG. 93.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachincorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties:

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLESHAFT ARRANGEMENTS, Attorney Docket No. END7343USNP/130300;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES,Attorney Docket No. END7341USNP/130301;

U.S. Patent Application entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITHSEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, Attorney Docket No.END7333USNP/130322;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH INDEPENDENT JAW CONTROL FEATURES, Attorney Docket No.END7336USNP/130303;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES,Attorney Docket No. END7331USNP/130304;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLES AND METHODS FOR MAKINGTHE SAME, Attorney Docket No. END7335USNP/130305;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLES, STAPLE CARTRIDGES ANDSURGICAL END EFFECTORS, Attorney Docket No. END7332USNP/130306;

U.S. Design Patent Application entitled SURGICAL FASTENER, AttorneyDocket No. END7338USDP/130307;

U.S. Patent Application entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A FIRINGMEMBER CONFIGURED TO DIRECTLY ENGAGE AND EJECT FASTENERS FROM THEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, Attorney Docket No. END7339USNP/130309;

U.S. Patent Application entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A FIRINGMEMBER INCLUDING FASTENER TRANSFER SURFACES, Attorney Docket No.END7340USNP/130310;

U.S. Patent Application entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AttorneyDocket No. END7342USNP/130311;

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS, Attorney Docket No.END7334USNP/130312; and

U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING METHODS,Attorney Docket No. END7330USNP/130313.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, theperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thevarious methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numeroussurgical procedures and applications including, for example, inconnection with open surgical procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be insertedinto a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through anincision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions orend effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into apatient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has aworking channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of asurgical instrument can be advanced.

Referring to an exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a surgicalinstrument 100 can include a handle assembly 104, a shaft 114 extendingfrom the handle assembly 104, and an end effector 120 extending from theshaft 114. Referring primarily to FIG. 3, a staple cartridge 140 can beloaded into an elongate channel 122 of a first jaw 123 of the endeffector 120. In certain embodiments, the staple cartridge 140 can bedisposable and/or replaceable, for example. Additionally oralternatively, the staple cartridge 140 can be integrated into the endeffector 120, for example, and/or the end effector 120 can be disposableand/or replaceable, for example. In various embodiments, the surgicalinstrument 100 can be motor-driven. For example, referring primarily toFIG. 2, a motor 106 can be positioned in the handle assembly 104. Thehandle assembly 104 of the surgical instrument 100 can also include atrigger 108. Actuation of the trigger 108 can affect closure of the jaws123, 124 of the end effector 120, firing of staples 160 from the staplecartridge 140, and/or translation of a firing bar 156 and cuttingelement 158 through the end effector 120, for example.

Referring primarily to FIG. 3, staples 160 can be ejectably positionedin the staple cartridge 140. For example, at least one sled 190 cantranslate through the staple cartridge 140 to eject the staples 160 fromthe staple cartridge 140. The firing bar 156 having the cutting elementor knife 158 can also translate through the staple cartridge 140 to cuttissue captured between the end effector jaws, 123, 124, for example. Asdepicted in FIG. 3, the firing bar 156 and cutting element 158 can movefrom a proximal position in the first jaw 123 to a distal position inthe first jaw 123. In various embodiments, tissue positionedintermediate the staple cartridge 140 and the anvil 124 can be stapledby the staples 160, and then cut by the cutting element 158, forexample. Referring primarily to FIGS. 4 and 5, the staple cartridge 140can include a cartridge body 142 and staple cavities 144 defined in thecartridge body 142. Staples, such as staples 160, for example, can beremovably positioned in the staple cavities 144. In certain embodiments,each staple cavity 144 can removably store a single staple 160. Eachstaple cavity 144 can have a proximal end 146 and a distal end 148, forexample, and longitudinal sidewalls 150 can extend between the proximalend 146 and the distal end 148 of each staple cavity 144. As describedin greater detail herein, the proximal ends 146, the distal ends 148,and/or the longitudinal sidewalls 150 of the staple cavity 144 can guideand/or support the staple 160 during deployment from the staple cavity144.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-13, the staple 160 can include a base 162, afirst staple leg 164 extending from the base 162, and a second stapleleg 166 extending from the base 162. The base 162 can have a proximalportion 168 and a distal portion 170, for example, and an intermediateportion 172 of the base 162 can be positioned between the proximalportion 168 and the distal portion 170, for example. As depicted inFIGS. 6-13, the first staple leg 164 can extend from the proximalportion 168 of the base 162, and the second staple leg 166 can extendfrom the distal portion 170 of the base 162. The staple legs 164, 166can include a tip 174, for example, which can have a pointed orsubstantially pointed end. In various embodiments, the tip 174 canfacilitate piercing into and/or through tissue, for example. In certainembodiments, the staple legs 164, 166 can include corner edges 176,which can be sharp, or substantially sharp, for example, and can alsofacilitate piercing into and/or through tissue, for example. In otherembodiments, the staple legs 164, 166 can include rounded corner edges.

Referring still to FIGS. 6-13, chamfers 184, 186 can be positionedbetween the staple legs 164, 166 and the base 162. For example, an upperchamfer 184 can extend between the staple legs 164, 166 and the base162, and/or a lower chamfer 186 can extend between the staple legs 164,166 and the base 162. When tissue is captured by the staple 160, thetissue can be compressed between the base 162 and the deformed staplelegs 164, 166, and the chamfers 184, 186 may contact the compressedtissue. In various embodiments, the chamfers 184, 186 can compress thecaptured tissue, for example, and may prevent the base 162 fromunintentionally piercing and/or cutting the captured tissue, forexample.

In various embodiments, the base 162 of the staple 160 may beasymmetrical relative to the staple legs 174, 176. For example,referring primarily to FIG. 10, a first axis A may be defined betweenthe first and second staple legs 174, 176, and the base 162 can beasymmetrical relative to the first axis A. The base 162 can benon-linear, for example, and can include at least one laterallycontoured portion 178 that bends or curves away from the axis A. Thebase 162, or at least a portion of the base 162, can be defined by asecond axis B. The contoured portion 178 can be include straight and/orcurved regions, and may be generally non-parallel to the first axis Aand the second axis B, for example. For example, the contoured portion178 can bend or curve away from the first axis A, include a straight orsubstantially straight portion, and bend or curve toward the second axisB (FIG. 10).

Referring still to FIG. 10, the center of mass (COM) of the staple 160can be offset from the first axis A. In various embodiments, a portionof the base 162 can extend along the second axis B, for example, whichcan be parallel or substantially parallel to the first axis A. Forexample, the intermediate portion 172 of the base 162 can be parallel orsubstantially parallel to the first axis A. A contoured portion 178 canbe positioned between the proximal portion 168 and the intermediateportion 172, for example, and another contoured portion 178 can bepositioned between the distal portion 170 and the intermediate portion172, for example. The contoured portions 178 can laterally offset theintermediate portion 172 of the base 162 from the staple legs 164, 166and from the first axis A, for example. In certain embodiments, thestaple legs 164, 166 can be positioned in a first plane defined by thefirst axis A, for example, and the intermediate portion 172 of the base162 can be positioned in a second plane defined by the second axis B.The second plane can be parallel, or substantially parallel, to thefirst plane, for example, and the center of mass (COM) of the staple 160can be positioned between the first plane and the second plane. In suchembodiments, the staple 160 can include a leg formation plane, e.g., theplane defined by the first axis A, which can be offset from the COM ofthe staple 160. For example, deformation of the staple 160 can form amodified “B-form”, for example, and the staple legs 164, 166 may benon-coplanar and/or laterally offset from the intermediate portion 172of the staple base 162. In various instances, the modified “B-form”staple formation can engage, capture, compress, and/or affect a greatervolume of tissue, for example. Additionally, in certain instances, themodified “B-form” staple formation can exert forces on the engagedtissue in different and/or divergent directions, for example. Modified“B-form” can define a tissue entrapment area extending in threedifferent directions. For instance, a portion of the tissue entrapmentarea can be defined in two directions by the legs 164 and 166 andanother portion of the tissue entrapment area can be defined in a thirddirection between the base 162 and the legs 164, 166.

In various embodiments, the intermediate portion 172 of the staple base162 can include a longitudinal guide surface 173. For example, asdescribed in greater detail herein, the longitudinal guide surface 173can slide and/or move against a guide surface 150 in the staple cavity144 (FIGS. 4 and 5) as the staple 160 is fired and/or ejected from thecartridge body 142 (FIGS. 4 and 5), for example. In such embodiments,the longitudinal guide surface 173 can balance and/or stabilize thestaple 160 during deployment. Furthermore, the intermediate portion 172of the staple base 162 can include a tissue-contacting surface 175 (FIG.9), which can be flat or substantially flat, for example. In variousinstances, the tissue-contacting surface 175 of the base 162 can form aflat surface for contacting captured tissue, which can provide a broadand/or smooth surface for applying and/or distributing pressure on thecaptured and/or compressed tissue. In such embodiments, tissue tearingand/or trauma within the staple 160 may be reduced and/or minimized, forexample.

In various embodiments, the base 162 of the staple 160 can include oneof more drive surfaces. For example, the base 162 can include an initialdrive surface 180 and a secondary drive surface 182. Referring still toFIGS. 6-13, the proximal portion 168 of the base 162 can include theinitial drive surface 180, for example, and/or the intermediate portion172 of the base 172 can include the secondary drive surface 182. Forexample, the proximal portion 168 can include a nub having the firstdrive surface 180. The nub of the first drive surface 180 can include arounded and/or sloped surface, for example. The secondary drive surface182 can comprise a ramp on the intermediate portion 172 of the base 162.For example, the secondary drive surface 182 can be positioned distal tothe initial drive surface 180 and/or between the proximal portion 168and the distal portion 170 of the base 162, for example. The secondarydrive surface 182 can include an inclined surface or plane, for example,and can slope downward in the direction of the distal portion 170 (seeFIGS. 7 and 8).

Referring primarily to FIGS. 7 and 8, a staple midline M can be definedintermediate the first staple leg 164 and the second staple leg 166. Thestaple midline M can bisect the staple 160, and can pass through thecenter of mass (COM) of the staple 160, for example. In variousembodiments, the secondary drive surface 182 can extend across themidline M. For example, the secondary drive surface 182 can extend alongthe intermediate portion 172 of the base 162, and can cross from aproximal side of the midline M to a distal side of the midline M. Insuch embodiments, during deployment of the staple 160 via the sled 190,as described in greater detail herein, a ramp 192 of the sled 190 candrive the staple 160 at and/or near the midline M of the staple 160during a portion of the staple's deployment. In various embodiments, thedistal end of the secondary drive surface 182 can also include a stapleoverdrive 188, which is described in greater detail herein. Referringprimarily to FIG. 7, the staple overdrive 188 can include the lowestpoint of the intermediate portion 172 of the base 162 and, in someembodiments, can be vertically aligned with the lowest point of theproximal portion 168 and/or the distal portion 170 of the base 162, forexample. In other embodiments, the staple overdrive 188 may bepositioned vertically below or above the lowest portion of the proximalportion 168 and/or the distal portion 170 of the base 162.

In various embodiments, the drive surfaces 180, 182 of the staple 160can be separate and distinct. For example, the drive surfaces 180, 182can be laterally and/or longitudinally offset, such that the drivesurfaces 180, 182 are unconnected and/or nonadjacent. Each drive surfacecan be discrete, for example. The initial drive surface 180 can overlapa first plane (see axis A in FIG. 10), for example, and the secondarydrive surface 182 can overlap a second plane (see axis B in FIG. 10),for example. In certain embodiments, the drive surfaces 180, 182 can beparallel. For example, the initial drive surface 180 can extend alongthe first axis A (FIG. 10), and the secondary drive surface 180 canextend along the second axis B (FIG. 10). In various embodiments, alateral gap having a width x (FIGS. 10 and 11) can be defined betweenthe initial drive surface 180 and the secondary drive surface 182, forexample. In some embodiments, a longitudinal gap having a width y (FIG.10) can be defined between the initial drive surface 180 and thesecondary drive surface 182, for example. The initial drive surface 180can be proximal to the secondary drive surface 182, for example.Furthermore, a non-driven portion of the base, such as the lower chamfer186 of the contoured portion 178 between the proximal portion 168 andthe intermediate portion 172, for example, can separate the initialdrive surface 180 and the secondary drive surface 182, for example. Invarious embodiments, the contoured portions 178 can traverse between thefirst plane defined by axis A and the second plane defined by axis B,for example.

Referring still to FIGS. 6-13, at least one of the drive surfaces 180,182 of the staple 160 can be integrally formed with the staple 160. Forexample, the drive surfaces 180, 182 can be defined in the base 162 ofthe staple 160. The staple 160 can comprise a single, unitary piece, forexample, which may integrally include the drive surfaces 180, 182. Thedrive surfaces 180, 182 can comprise a boundary or perimeter surface ofthe single, unitary piece, for example. In various circumstances, thestaple 160 can be seamless, for example, and many not include anyadhered and/or overmolded features, for example. Furthermore, the base162 and the staple legs 164, 166 can be a contiguous part, and the base162 can integrally define the drive surfaces 180, 182, for example. Incertain instances, as described in greater detail herein, the staple 160can be stamped or otherwise formed from a single piece of material, forexample, and can remain a single piece of material, for example. Invarious instances, the drive surfaces 180, 182 can comprise a surface orflat of the formed piece.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, the sled 190 can drive the staples 160from the cavities 144 in the cartridge body 142 (FIG. 3). In variousinstances, the sled 190 can directly contact the staples 160 and/or candirectly drive the staples 160. For example, the sled 190 can include aramp or inclined surface 192, which can contact at least one drivesurface 180, 182 of the staple 160. As the sled 190 translates relativeto the staple 160, the ramp 192 can push the drive surfaces 180, 182 tolift the staples 160. In various embodiments, the degree of incline ofthe ramp 192 can vary along the length thereof. For example, the ramp192 can be designed to lift the staple 160 faster and/or slower duringat least part of the staple's deployment. Moreover, the degree ofincline of the ramp 192 can be designed and/or selected based on thedegree of incline of a staple drive surface 180, 182. For example, theramp 192 can define an incline that is greater than, less than, and/orequal to the incline of the initial drive surface 180 and/or thesecondary drive surface 182. The relationship between the ramp 192incline and the drive surface 180, 182 incline can affect the speed ofstaple deployment, for example.

Referring still to FIGS. 14-17, the sled 190 can include at least onelateral portion 191 a, 191 b. For example, the sled 190 can include asingle lateral portion, a pair of lateral portions, and/or more than twolateral portions. In various instances, each lateral portion 191 a, 191b can correspond to a row of staples 160 removably positioned in thecartridge body 142. As further depicted in FIGS. 14-17, the lateralportions 191 a, 191 b can be longitudinally staggered. For example, incertain embodiments, the first lateral portion 191 a can lag behind orfollow the second lateral portion 191 b by a length of distance L (FIGS.14 and 16). In other embodiments, the lateral portions 191 a, 191 b canbe longitudinally aligned and/or the second lateral portion 191 b canlag or follow the first lateral portion 191 a, for example. Inembodiments where the sled 190 comprises multiple lateral portions 191a, 191 b, an intermediate portion 193 can connect and/or bridge thelateral portions 191 a, 191 b, for example.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 14-17, the sled 190 can transfer betweenthe drive surfaces 180, 182 of the staple 160. Stated differently, thesled 190 can exert a driving force on the initial driving surface 180 ofthe staple 160, for example, and can then transition to exert a drivingforce on the second, or secondary, driving surface 182 of the staple160. In certain embodiments, the sled ramp 192 can include a leadingsurface 194 and a trailing surface 196. The leading surface 194 can beadjacent to and/or connected to the trailing surface 196, for example,and the staple 160 can smoothly transition between the leading surface194 and the trailing surface 196. For example, the leading surface 194can contact the staple 160 and begin to lift the staple 160, and thetrailing surface 196 can move into contact with the staple 160 andcontinue to lift the staple 160. In certain instances, the trailingsurface 196 can smoothly lift the staple 160 out of and/or away fromengagement with the leading surface 194, for example.

Referring still to FIGS. 14-17, the leading surface 194 can be alignedwith the initial drive surface 180 and the trailing surface 196 can bealigned with the secondary drive surface 182, for example. In operation,the leading surface 194 of the ramp 192 can initially contact the staple160. For example, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, as the sled 190translates, the leading surface 194 can contact the initial drivesurface 180 of the staple 160. The inclined leading surface 194 canexert a driving force on the initial drive surface 180, which can beginto the lift the base 162 of the staple 160. For example, the staple 160can be lifted a first distance or height by the leading surface 194. Asthe sled 190 continues to translate, referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17,the trailing surface 196 can move into contacting engagement with thesecondary drive surface 182 of the staple 160, for example. The inclinedtrailing surface 196 can exert a driving force on the secondary drivesurface 182, for example, which can continue to the lift the base 162 ofthe staple 160. For example, the staple 160 can be lifted a seconddistance or height by the trailing surface 194.

In various instances, the trailing surface 196 can lift the initialdrive surface 180 away from and/or out of contact with the leadingsurface 194 of the ramp 192, for example. For example, the trailingsurface 196 can contact the secondary drive surface 182 and immediatelylift the staple 160 such that the primary drive surface 180 is moved outof driving contact with the leading surface 194. In other embodiments,the leading surface 194 can drive the initial drive surface 180 and thetrailing surface 196 can drive the secondary drive surfacesimultaneously for at least a portion of the staple's deployment. As thesled 190 continues to translate, the trailing surface 196 can lift thebase 162 out of the staple cavity 144 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and/or can ejectthe staple 160 from the cartridge 140 (FIGS. 4 and 5). For example, theproximal portion of the trailing surface 196 can include a sledoverdrive 198. In various embodiments, the sled overdrive 198 can extendout of the staple cavity 144 and can lift the staple overdrive 188,i.e., the lowest portion of the intermediate portion 172 of the base 162(see FIG. 7), out of the staple cavity 144.

Deployment of multiple staples 160 according to an exemplary applicationof the present disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 18-21. In certainembodiments, multiple rows of staple cavities 144 can be defined in thecartridge body 142. For example, multiple rows of staple cavities 144can be defined on a first side of the cartridge slot 143 (FIG. 3), andmultiple rows of staple cavities 144 can be defined on a second side ofthe cartridge slot 143. FIGS. 18-21 depict two rows of staples 160positioned in two rows of staples cavities 144 in the cartridge body142. Referring still to FIGS. 18-21, the staples 160 a, 160 c, and 160 ecan be positioned in a more inner row of staple cavities 144, forexample, and the staples 160 b, 160 d, and 160 f can be positioned in amore outer row of staple cavities 144, for example. In variousembodiments, the first inner staple 160 a can be positioned nearer tothe cartridge slot 143 than the first outer staple 160 b. For example,the first inner staple 160 a can be adjacent to the cartridge slot 143,and the first outer staple 160 b can be intermediate the first innerstaple 160 a and the side of the cartridge body 142, for example. Invarious embodiments, additional rows of staples 160 can be defined inthe cartridge body 142. For example, at least one row of staples can bepositioned intermediate the first staple 160 a and the cartridge slot143, and/or at least one row of staples 160 can be positionedintermediate the first outer staple 160 b and the side of the cartridgebody 142, for example.

Referring primarily to FIG. 18, as the sled 190 moves distally, thesecond lateral portion 191 b can contact the first inner staple 160 a.The leading surface 194 (FIGS. 14-17) of the second lateral portion 191b can begin to lift the first inner staple 160 a, for example. Referringnow to FIG. 19, as the sled 190 continues to move distally, the trailingsurface 196 (FIGS. 14-17) of the second lateral portion 191 b cancontinue to lift the first inner staple 160 a, and can move the firstinner staple 160 a into forming contact with the anvil 152 of the endeffector 120, for example. Additionally, the leading surface 194 of thesecond lateral portion 191 b can move into contact with the second innerstaple 160 c, for example. In various instances, the first lateralportion 191 a can move into contact with the first outer staple 160 b atthe same time that the second lateral portion 191 b moves into contactwith the second inner staple 160 c, for example. In certain embodiments,the longitudinal lag or offset between the first lateral portion 191 aand the second lateral portion 191 b can correspond to the longitudinaldistance between the first outer staple 160 b and the second innerstaple 160 c. For example, the first lateral portion 191 a can lagbehind the second lateral portion 191 b a length L (FIGS. 14 and 16),and the first outer staple 160 b can be longitudinally offset from thesecond inner staple 160 c by the length L. In such embodiments,deployment of the first outer staple 160 b and the second inner staple160 c can be simultaneous and/or synchronized, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 20, as the sled 190 continues to progress, thetrailing surface 196 of the second lateral portion 191 b can continue tolift the first inner staple 160 a toward the anvil 152. The stapleforming pockets 154 defined in the anvil 152 can catch the staple legs164, 166, and can deform the first inner staple 160 a. Furthermore, thesecond lateral portion 191 b can continue to lift the second innerstaple 160 c, and the first lateral portion 191 a can continue to liftthe first outer staple 160 b, for example. Referring now to FIG. 21, asthe sled 190 continues to move distally, the second lateral portion 191b can eject the first inner staple 160 a from the staple cavity 144. Invarious instances, the sled overdrive 198 (FIGS. 14-17), can lift thestaple overdrive 188 to clear the staple base 162 over the cartridgebody 142, for example. As the staple forming pockets 154 of the anvil124 continue to form the first inner staple 160 a, the second lateralportion 191 b can continue to lift the second inner staple 160 c, forexample, and the first lateral portion 191 a can continue to lift thefirst outer staple 160 b. Additionally, the second lateral portion 191 bcan move into contact with the third inner staple 160 e, for example,and the first lateral portion 191 a can move into contact with thesecond outer staple 160 d, for example. In various instances, similar tothe above, the second outer staple 160 d can be longitudinally offsetfrom the third inner staple 160 e by the length L (FIGS. 14 and 16).

As described herein, the staples 160 can be sequentially fired from thecartridge 140. For example, as the sled 190 moves distally, the sled 190can sequentially fire staples 160 from a proximal portion of thecartridge body 142 toward a distal portion of the cartridge body 142. Asdescribed herein, the sled 190 can fire a first, more proximal, innerstaple 160 a before firing a second, more distal, inner staple 160 c. Inother embodiments, the sled 190 may translate proximally to fire staples160 from a staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the sled 190 cansequentially fire staples 160 from a distal portion of the staplecartridge 140 toward a proximal portion of the staple cartridge 140.Moreover, firing of the staples 160 from the staple cartridge 140 can bepaced or synchronized. For example, the first outer staple 160 b and thesecond inner staple 160 c can be fired simultaneously, and/or the secondouter staple 160 d and the third inner staple 160 e can be firedsimultaneously, for example. For example, the longitudinal offsetbetween the first lateral portion 191 a of the sled 190 and the secondlateral portion 191 b of the sled 190 can correspond to the longitudinaldistance between a staple 160 in a first row of staple cavities and astaple 160 in a second, different row of staple cavities. In suchembodiments, deployment of the staples 160 can be timed such that astaple 160 in the first row of staple cavities is fired at the same timeas a staple 160 in the second row of staple cavities. The timing orpacing of staple deployment can improve tissue positioning and/orplacement during firing. For example, sections of the tissue can be heldin position by the end effector jaws 123, 124 (FIG. 3), and the sectionscan be stapled simultaneously. In other instances though, the offsetbetween 191 a and 191 b may not be the same as the offset between thestaples in the staple rows.

An exemplary embodiment of staple deployment is further illustrated inFIGS. 22-31. For example, the staples 160 a, 160 b, 160 c, and 160 d canbe positioned on both sides of the cartridge slot 140, and can beejectably positioned in staple cavities 144 defined in the cartridgebody 142. Referring primarily to FIGS. 22 and 23, the staples 160 a, 160b, 160 c, and 160 d can be unfired, and the sleds 190 can be positionedproximal to the cartridge body 142. The sleds 190 can be aligned withthe rows of staple cavities 144 in the cartridge body 142. For example,a first sled 190 can be aligned with the staples 160 a, 160 c in thefirst inner row of staple cavities 144 and with the staples 160 b, 160 din the first outer row of staple cavities 144, and a second sled 190 canbe aligned with the staples 160 a, 160 c in the second inner row ofstaple cavities 144 and with the staples 160 b, 160 d in the secondouter row of staple cavities 144. The first lateral portions 191 a ofeach sled 190 can be aligned with the outer staples 160 b, 160 d, andthe second lateral portions 191 b of each sled 190 can be aligned withthe inner staples 160 a, 160 c, for example.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 24 and 25, the first inner staples 160 acan be moved or lifted to partially fired positions relative to thecartridge body 142. For example, the second lateral portions 191 b ofeach sled 190 can move into engagement with the first inner staples 160a. The leading surfaces 194 of the second lateral portions 191 b canlift the first inner staples 160 a a first distance. Subsequently, thetrailing surfaces 196 can move into engagement with the first innerstaples 160 a to further lift the first inner staples 160 a. In variousembodiments, distal translation of the sleds 190 can be coordinated, andthe first inner staples 160 a on each side of the slot 143 can be firedsimultaneously, for example. As the first inner staples 160 a arelifted, a portion of each staple 160 a can slide or move against alongitudinal guide surface 150 of the staple cavity 144, and thelongitudinal guide surface 150 can support and/or balance the torquegenerated by the sled 190, as described in greater detail herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, as the sleds 190 continue to translaterelative to the cartridge 140, the sleds 190 can move into engagementwith the first outer staples 160 b and the second inner staples 160 c.In various instances, the sleds 190 can contact the first outer staples160 b and the second inner staples 160 c simultaneously. For example,the first lateral portions 191 a of sleds 190 can contact the firstouter staples 160 b as the second lateral portions 191 b of the sleds190 contact the second inner staples 160 c, for example. Referringprimarily to FIG. 27, the leading surfaces 194 of the first lateralportions 191 a and the second lateral portions 191 b of the sleds 190can engage the initial drive surfaces 180 of the staples 160 b, 160 c,and can lift the staples 160 b, 160 c relative to the cartridge body142. Additionally, the trailing surfaces 196 of the second lateralportions 191 b of the sleds 190 can continue to lift the first innerstaples 160 a, for example. As the first inner staples 160 a continue tomove out of the staple cavities 144, an anvil 152 (FIGS. 18-21) canbegin to deform the first inner staples 160 a. For example, stapleforming pockets 154 (FIGS. 18-21) can catch, turn and/or bend the legs164, 166 of the first inner staples 160 a. As described herein, theanvil 152 can deform the staples 160 a into modified “B-forms”, forexample.

Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, as the sleds 190 continue to translaterelative to the staple cartridge 140, the second lateral portions 191 bof the sleds 190 can continue to lift the first inner staples 160 a, forexample, and the anvil 152 (FIGS. 18-21) can continue to deform thefirst inner staples 160 a, for example. In various instances, the sleds190 can also continue to lift the first outer staples 160 b and thesecond inner staples 160 c. For example, the trailing surfaces 196 ofthe sleds 190 can move into engagement with the secondary drive surfaces182 of the first outer staples 160 b and the second inner staples 160 c,and can lift the staple bases 162 upward, for example, such that thestaples legs 164, 166 continue to move out of the cartridge body 142.

Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31, as the sleds 190 continue to translaterelative to the cartridge 140, the second lateral portions 191 b of thesleds 190 can continue to simultaneously lift the first inner staples160 a. For example, the sled overdrives 198 (FIGS. 16 and 17), can liftthe first inner staples 160 a entirely out of the cartridge body 142,such that the first inner staples 160 a are entirely ejected from thestaple cartridge 140. In various instances, the anvil 152 (FIGS. 18-21)can continue to deform the first inner staples 160 a, for example, andthe first inner staples 160 a can be fully deformed when lifted entirelyout of the cartridge body 142. Additionally, the trailing surfaces 196of the sleds 190 can also continue to simultaneously lift the firstouter staples 160 b and the second inner staples 160 c. For example, thetrailing surfaces 196 of the first lateral portions 191 a can lift ordrive the first outer staples 160 b, and the trailing surfaces 196 ofthe second lateral portions 191 b can lift or drive the second innerstaples 160 c, for example. Moreover, as the first outer staples 160 band the second inner staples 160 c continue to move out of the staplecavities 144, the anvil 152 (FIGS. 18-21) can begin to deform the firstouter staples 160 b and the second inner staples 160 c. For example,staple forming pockets 154 (FIGS. 18-21) can catch, turn and/or bend thelegs 164, 166 of the first outer staples 160 b and the second innerstaples 160 c. In various instances, the sleds 190 can continue totranslate relative to the cartridge body 142, and the first and secondlateral portions 191 a, 191 b of the sleds 190 can continue to paceand/or time the deployment of the staples 160 from adjacent and/orneighboring staple rows. The sleds 190 can sequentially fire staples 160from the proximal portion of the staple cartridge 140 to the distalportion of the staple cartridge 140. In other embodiments, the sleds 190can move proximally, and can fire staples 160 from the distal portion ofthe staple cartridge 140 toward a proximal portion of the staplecartridge 140, for example. Moreover, in certain instances, the spacingbetween the staples and the lateral sled portions can affectnon-synchronized deployment of the staples, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 56-64, in various instances, the staple cavity144 can guide the staple 160 as the sled 190 moves the staple 160through a firing progression. For example, in various instances, theleading surface 194 of the sled 190 can contact the initial drivesurface 180 of the staple 160, and can exert a driving force D₁ (FIG.58) on the staple 160 via the initial drive surface 180 (FIGS. 56-58).The leading surface 194 can lift the staple 160 upward along a planedefined by axis E (FIG. 57) and axis F (FIG. 58). As indicated in FIGS.57 and 58, the staple's center of mass (COM) can be offset from the axesE and F and, in such embodiments, the driving force D₁ (FIG. 58) exertedon the initial drive surface 180 in the plane defined by axes E and Fcan generate a torque T₁ (FIG. 58). As described in greater detailherein, the staple cavity 144 can include a longitudinal sidewall 150between the proximal end 146 and the distal end 148 of the staple cavity144. In certain embodiments, the staple cavity 144 can include a firstsidewall 150 a and a second sidewall 150 b. Moreover, as describedherein, the sidewalls 150 a, 150 b can resist torsion of the staple 160during firing. For example, when the leading surface 194 of the sled 190drives the initial drive surface 180 of the staple 160 along the planedefined by axes E and F, the second sidewall 150 b can resist thecounterclockwise torque T₁ (FIG. 58) corresponding to the driving forceD₁ generated by the sled 190. As the staple 160 is lifted a firstdistance by the leading surface 194 of the sled 190, the second sidewall150 b can guide and support the intermediate portion 172 of the staplebase 162. For example, the flat surface 173 of the intermediate portion172 of the staple base 162 can slide along and/or move against thesecond sidewall 150 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 59-61, when the sled 190 transitions between theinitial drive surface 180 and the secondary drive surface 182, asdescribed herein, the trailing surface 196 of the sled 190 can exert adriving force D₂ (FIG. 61) on the staple 160 via the secondary drivesurface 182. In various instances, the trailing surface 196 of the sled190 can lift the base 162 of the staple 160 upward along a plane definedby axis I (FIG. 60) and axis J (FIG. 61). As indicated in FIGS. 60 and61, the staple's center of mass (COM) can be offset from the planedefined by axes I and J and, in such embodiments, the driving force D₂(FIG. 61) exerted on the secondary drive surface 182 by the trailingsurface 196 of the sled 190 can generate a torque T₂ (FIG. 61). Uponcomparing FIGS. 58 and 61, it can be seen that the driving force D₁ isapplied to the staple 160 on a first side of the COM and the drivingforce D₂ is applied on the opposite side of the COM. In variousinstances, the torque T₁ can be in a first direction, and the torque T₂can be in second direction, and the second direction can be opposite tothe first direction, for example. When the trailing surface 196 drivesthe secondary drive surface 182 of the staple 160 along the planedefined by axes I and J, the first sidewall 150 a can resist theclockwise torque T₂ (FIG. 61). As the staple 160 is lifted the seconddistance by the trailing surface 194, the first sidewall 150 a can guideand support the proximal and distal ends 168, 170 of the staple base162. For example, the proximal and distal ends 168, 170 of the base 162can slide along and/or move against the first sidewall 150 a.

The reader will appreciate that, in certain embodiments, various staplesand/or features thereof, which are described herein with respect to thestaple's COM, can be similarly applicable to the staple's center ofgeometry. In various instances, a staple, such as staple 160, forexample, can comprise a single material and/or can have a uniformcomposition. In such embodiments, the COM of the staple can correspondto the center of geometry of the staple. In other embodiments, a staplecan comprise multiple materials and/or a non-uniform composition. Forexample, the staple can be formed from multiple pieces and/or materialsthat have been welded and/or otherwise joined together. In certainembodiments, multiple sheets of at least two different materials can bewelded together, for example, and the staple can be cut from a portionof the welded sheet comprising more than one material. In otherembodiments, multiple sheets of at least two different materials can belayered, rolled and/or sealed together, for example, and the staple canbe cut from a portion of the sheet comprising more than one material. Insuch embodiments, the COM of the staple can be offset from the center ofgeometry of the staple. For example, the COM of the staple can belaterally and/or longitudinally offset from the staple's center ofgeometry.

As depicted in FIGS. 58 and 61, the sled 190 can exert a verticaldriving force D₁, D₂ on the staple 160 during deployment. The readerwill appreciate that a driving force generated by the sled 190 can alsocomprise a horizontal component. In various embodiments, the proximaland/or distal ends 146, 148 of the staple cavity 144 can guide andsupport the staple legs 164, 166, as the staple 160 is lifted by thesled 190. In various embodiments, the proximal and/or distal ends 146,148 of the staple cavity 144 can balance the torque generated by thehorizontal component of the driving force. For example, as the sled 190moves distally, the distal end 148 of the staple cavity 144 can resistrotation and/or torqueing of the staple 160 during deployment. Referringnow to FIGS. 62-64, the trailing surface 196 can continue to lift thestaple 160 out of the staple cavity 144. For example, the sled overdrive198 can contact the staple overdrive 188 to lift the base 162 of thestaple 160 out of the cartridge body 140.

Referring now to FIGS. 45-47, a staple cartridge, such as a staplecartridge 240, for example, can be loaded into the elongate channel 122of the end effector 120 (FIG. 3). Staples, such as staples 160, forexample, can be ejectably positioned in the staple cartridge 240. Forexample, sleds 190 (FIGS. 14-17) can translate through the staplecartridge 240 to eject the staples 160 therefrom. In various instances,the staple cartridge 240 can include a cartridge body 242 and cavities244 defined in the cartridge body 242. Staples 160 can be removablypositioned in the staple cavities 244, for example. For example, eachstaple cavity 244 can removably store a single staple 160. Moreover,each staple cavity 244 can have a proximal end 246 and a distal end 248,for example, and longitudinal sidewalls 250 can extend between theproximal end 246 and the distal end 248 of each staple cavity 244.Similar to the cavities 144 described herein, the proximal ends 246,distal ends 248, and/or longitudinal sidewalls 250 can guide and/orsupport the staples 160 during firing. For example, the longitudinalsidewalls 250 can counterbalance the torque exerted on the staple 160 bythe translating sled 190. In various instances, the cavities 244 canalso include diagonal guide surfaces 251 between the sidewalls 250. Forexample, a proximal diagonal guide surface 251 a can extend between theproximal end 246 of the cavity 244 and a sidewall 250 of the cavity 244.Additionally or alternatively, a distal diagonal guide surface 251 b canextend between the distal end 248 of the cavity 244 and a sidewall 250of the cavity 244. The diagonal guide surfaces 251 a, 251 b can guideand/or support the contoured portions 178 (FIGS. 6-13) of the staple160, for example, as the staple 160 is lifted within the staple cavity244. For example, a portion of the contoured portion 178 can slide alongand/or move against the diagonal guide surfaces 251 a, 251 b. In such anarrangement, the diagonal guide surfaces 251 a, 251 b can balance thetorque exerted on the staple 160, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 32A-32C, staples, such as the staples 160, forexample, can be cut, formed and/or stamped from a sheet of material,such as a sheet of material 130, for example. The sheet of material 130can be metallic, for example, and can comprise stainless steel and/ortitanium, for example. In various instances, the sheet of material 130can be substantially flat and/or smooth. Moreover, in certain instances,the sheet of material 130 can be bent, folded, contoured and/or crimpedat various regions, such as a first region 134 and a second region 136,for example. The sheet of material 130 can be bent using a punch and/orstamp, for example. Flat or substantially flat portions 135 a, 135 b,and 135 c of the sheet of material 130 can be positioned intermediatethe regions 134, 136, for example. The first region 134 can beintermediate the flat portions 135 a and 135 b, for example, and thesecond region 136 can be intermediate the flat portions 135 b and 135 c,for example. In various instances, the flat portions 135 a and 135 c canbe coplanar, for example, and/or the flat portion 135 b can be paralleland/or substantially parallel to the flat portions 135 a and/or 135 c,for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 32A, multiple flat sheets 130a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d, 130 e, 130 f can be stacked, and then bent atthe regions 134 and 136 simultaneously. In other embodiments, the sheets130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d, 130 e, 130 f can be individually bent, forexample, and then stacked.

In various instances, the staples 160 can be cut, formed and/or stampedfrom the bent sheets 130. For example, referring primarily to FIG. 32B,a staple outline 132 can be traced, etched, and/or cut into the bentsheets 130. The staple outline 132 can be machined and/or laser cut intothe bent sheets 130, for example. In various instances, an electrondischarge machining (EDM) wire 138 can be used to cut the staple outline132. Furthermore, in certain instances, multiple stacked sheets 130 canbe cut simultaneously. In certain embodiments, referring primarily toFIG. 32C, the staple outline 132 can form the boundary or perimeter ofthe staple 160. For example, the staple outline 132 can form the staple160 (FIGS. 6-13 and 33-36), and/or can form a staple having varioussimilar features to the staple 160, for example. In various instances,multiple staple outlines 132 can be cut into the sheet of material 130,and multiple staples 160 can be formed from a single sheet of material130. As illustrated in FIGS. 32B and 32C, the EDM wire 138 can passthrough more than one sheet of material 130 at a time to cut more thanone staple 160 at a time. While six sheets 130 are being simultaneouslycut by the EDM wire 138, any suitable number of sheets 130 can be cut atthe same time. For instance, a wire 138 can cut less than six sheets 130at the same time or more than six sheets 130 at the same time.

For example, referring to FIGS. 32C and 33-36, the staple outline 132can form the base 162 and/or the staple legs 164, 166, for example.Furthermore, the staple outline 132 can include at least oneintegrally-formed staple drive surface. For example, the staple outline132 can include the initial drive surface 180 and/or the secondary drivesurface 182. In other words, the initial drive surface 180 and/or thesecondary drive surface 182 can be machined and/or formed at the timethe staple 160 is cut from the sheet of material 130. In certaininstances, the bent or contoured regions 134, 136 of the sheet 130(FIGS. 32A and 32B) can form the contoured portions 178 of the staple160. Moreover, the lateral flat portions 135 a and 135 c of the sheet130 (FIGS. 32A and 32B) can correspond to the staple legs 164 and 166,and the intermediate flat portion 135 b of the sheet 130 (FIGS. 32A and32B) can correspond to the intermediate portion 172 of the base 162, forexample.

In various instances, the depth D₁ (FIGS. 34 and 36) of the staple 160can determined by the depth of the sheet of material 130. For example,the sheet of material 130 can be selected based on the depth thereof,and the staple 160 formed from that sheet of material 130 can have thesame depth as the sheet of material 130. Furthermore, the height H₁(FIG. 35), and width W₁ (FIG. 35) of the base 162 and the staple legs164, 166 can be determined by the staple outline 132. In variousinstances, the staple outline 132 can provide variations in the heightand/or width of the staple components along the length of eachcomponent. For example, the height H₁ of the base 162 and/or the widthW₁ of the staple legs 164, 166 can vary along the length thereof.Furthermore, tapers, steps, and/or other variations can be defined bythe staple outline 132, and thus, the geometry of the staple 160 can beselected and/or manipulated based on the purpose, application, and/ordesign of the staple 160 and/or the end effector 120 with which thestaple 160 may be used.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 33-36, in various instances, the staple 160can be cut such that the height H₁ of the base 162 is independent ofand/or different than the depth D₁ of the staple legs 164, 166. Forexample, the depth D₁ of the staple legs 164, 166 can correspond to thedepth of the sheet of material 130, and the base 162 can be cut to anappropriate height H₁, which can be independent of the depth of thesheet of material 130 and/or the corresponding leg depth D₁, for exampleThe appropriate height H₁ can be based on the purpose, application,and/or design of the staples 160 and/or the end effector 120 (FIG. 3)with which the staple 160 may be used, for example. Furthermore, theheight H₁ of the base 162 can also vary along the length thereof. Forexample, the height H₁ can vary at and/or near a drive surface of thestaple 160, and/or at a gusset between one of the staple legs 164, 166and the base 162, for example. The staple outline 132 can provide atleast one taper and/or step along the length of the base 162, forexample. The staple outline 132 can comprise a taper or ramp, forexample, which can form the secondary drive surface 182 of the base 162.The degree of incline of the secondary drive surface 182 can beselected, designed and implemented via the staple outline 132. Incertain embodiments, the height H₁ of the base 162 can be greater thanthe depth D₁ of the staple legs 164, 166. In other embodiments, theheight H₁ of the base 162 can be equal to or less than the depth D₁ ofthe staple legs 164, 166. Comparatively, the geometry of a staple thatis formed from a bent wire may be constrained and/or limited based onthe dimensions of the initial wire. For example, in a wire-formedstaple, the height of the staple base typically corresponds to the widthof the staple legs, which typically corresponds to the diameter of thewire. Though drawing and/or rolling, for example, can modify thediameter of the wire, the volume of material limits and/or restrains thepermissible modifications.

In various instances, the width W₁ of the staple legs 164, 166 can alsobe independent of the depth D₁ of the staple legs 164, 166 and theheight H₁ of the base 162, for example. The staple legs 164, 166 can becut to an appropriate width W₁ based on the application, purpose and/ordesign of the staple 160 and/or the end effector 120 (FIG. 3) with whichthe staple 160 may be used, for example. In certain embodiments, thestaple legs 164, 166 can comprise different widths, for example, and/orthe width of the staple legs 164, 166 can taper, step, or otherwise varyalong the length thereof. For example, the staple legs 164, 166 cantaper at the tips 174 to form a piercing edge or point.

Referring now to FIGS. 37-40, a staple outline 232 can be traced, cut,etched, and/or machined into the sheet of material 130 (FIGS. 32A and32B), and a staple 260, similar to the staple 160 (FIGS. 33-36), forexample, can be formed from the sheet of material 130. For example, thestaple 260 can include a base 262 and staple legs 264, 266 extendingfrom the base 262. In various embodiments, the staple 260 can includecontoured portions 278, which can correspond to the bent and/orcontoured regions 134, 136 of the sheet of material 130 (FIGS. 32A and32B) from which the staple 260 was formed. In certain embodiments, thestaple 260 can include an intermediate portion 272 between the contouredportions 278, for example. Moreover, at least one drive surface 280, 282can be formed along the perimeter of the staple 260 via the stapleoutline 232.

Similar to the staple 160, the depth D₁ of the staples legs 264, 266 cancorrespond to the depth of the sheet of material 130. Furthermore, invarious instances, the height H₂ of the staple base 262 can beindependent of the depth D₁ of the staple legs 264, 266 and/orindependent of the depth of the sheet of material 130. For example, asdepicted in FIGS. 37-40, the height H₂ of the staple base 262 is lessthan the height H₁ of the staple base 162 (FIGS. 33-36), and the depthD₂ of the staples legs 264, 266 is equal to the depth D₁ of the staplelegs 164, 166, for example. In various embodiments, the width W₂ of thestaple legs 264, 266 can also be independent of the depth D₂ of thestaple legs 264, 266. The height H₁ of the staple base 262 and the widthW₂ of the staple legs 264, 266 can be selected based on the purpose,application, and/or design of the staple 260 and/or the end effector 120(FIG. 3), for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 41-44, a staple outline 332 can be traced, cut,etched, and/or machined into the sheet of material 130 (FIGS. 32A and32B), and a staple 360, similar to the staples 160 and 260 (FIGS.33-40), for example, can be formed from the sheet of material 130. Forexample, the staple 360 can include a base 362 and staple legs 364, 366extending from the base 362. In various embodiments, the staple 360 caninclude contoured portions 378, which can correspond to the bent and/orcontoured regions 134, 136 of the sheet of material 130 (FIGS. 32A and32B) from which the staple 360 was formed. In certain embodiments, thestaple 360 can include an intermediate portion 372 between the contouredportions 378, for example. Moreover, at least one drive surface 380 and382 can be formed along the perimeter of the staple 360 via the stapleoutline 332.

Similar to the staples 160 and 260, the depth D₃ of the staples legs364, 366 can correspond to the depth of the sheet of material 130.Furthermore, in various instances, the height H₃ of the staple base 362can be independent of the depth D₃ of the staple legs 364, 366 and/orindependent of the depth of the sheet of material 130. For example, asdepicted in FIGS. 41-44, the height H₃ of the staple base 362 is greaterthan the height H₁ of the staple base 162 (FIGS. 33-36) and greater thanthe height H₂ of the staple base 262 (FIGS. 37-40), and the depth D₃ ofthe staples legs 364, 366 is equal to the depth D₁ of the staple legs164, 166 and equal to the depth D₂ of the staple legs 264, 266, forexample. In various embodiments, the width W₃ of the staple legs 364,366 can also be independent of the depth D₃ of the staple legs 364, 366.The height H₃ of the staple base 362 and the width W₃ of the staple legs364, 366 can be selected based on the purpose, application, and/ordesign of the staple 360 and/or the end effector 120 (FIG. 3), forexample.

Referring now to FIGS. 48-51, a staple, such as a staple 460, forexample, can be used in a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridge140 (FIGS. 3-5) and/or the staple cartridge 240 (FIGS. 45-47), forexample. The staple 460 can include a base 462 having a proximal portion468 and a distal portion 470. An intermediate base portion 472 can bepositioned between the proximal portion 468 and the distal portion 470,for example. As depicted in FIGS. 48-51, a first staple leg 464 canextend from the proximal portion 468 of the base 462, and a secondstaple leg 466 can extend from the distal portion 470 of the base. Invarious instances, the staple legs 464, 466 can be cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical, for example, and can include a staple tip474, which can be tapered and/or include a sharp edge or point forpiercing tissue, for example. In other embodiments, the staple legs 464,466 can include a rounded and/or polygonal perimeter, for example. Theintermediate portion 472 of the staple base 462 can include atissue-contacting surface 473, which can be flat or substantially flat,for example. In various instances, the staple 460 can be formed from awire, for example, which can be bent, twisted, and/or otherwisemanipulated to form the staple legs 464, 466 and/or the staple base 462,for example. In various embodiments, the diameter of the wire can definethe width and depth of the staple legs 464, 466, for example. In someembodiments, the wire can be drawn and/or rolled to modify thedimensions of the staple 460. In certain instances, the intermediateportion 462 of the wire base 462 can be formed and/or flattened to formthe tissue-contacting surface 473. In various instances, the base 462can be flattened between two parallel or substantially parallel plates,for example, such that the tissue-contacting surface 473 and a bottomsurface 475 of the base 462 are flat or substantially flat and/orparallel or substantially parallel. Modifications to the base 162 may belimited and/or constrained by the volume of material of the wire, forexample.

Referring still to FIGS. 48-51, the staple 460 can include chamfersand/or gussets. For example, a chamfer 484 can extend between the firststaple leg 464 and the base 462, and/or a chamfer 484 can extend betweenthe second staple leg 466 and the base 462. In certain embodiments, thechamfers 484 can be asymmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis G (FIG.49) extending between the first staple leg 464 and the second staple leg466, and/or relative to a vertical axis H (FIG. 51) extending along thelength of the staple legs 464, 466, for example. The chamfers 484 canextend away from the axis G and/or the axis H, for example, and thus, incertain embodiments, the intermediate portion 472 of the base 462 can beoffset from the axis G and/or the axis H. For example, the center ofmass of the base 462 can be offset from the plane defined by the axis Gand the axis H. In various instances, the offset intermediate portion472 of the base 462 can form a wide and/or flat surface for contactingcaptured tissue, which can provide a broad and/or smooth surface forapplying and/or distributing pressure on the captured tissue. In suchembodiments, tissue tearing and/or trauma within the staple 460 may bereduced and/or minimized. Moreover, similar to the staples 160, 260,and/or 360 described herein, the staple 460 can include a leg formationplane, e.g., the plane defined by the axis G and the axis H, which canbe offset from the center of mass of the base 462 of the staple 460, forexample.

Referring now to FIGS. 52-55, a staple, such as a staple 560, forexample, can be used in a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridge140 (FIGS. 3-5) and/or the staple cartridge 240 (FIGS. 45-47), forexample. The staple 560 can include a base 562 having a proximal portion568 and a distal portion 570. An intermediate base portion 572 can bepositioned between the proximal portion 568 and the distal portion 570,for example. As depicted in FIGS. 52-55, a first staple leg 564 canextend from the proximal portion 568 of the base 562, and a secondstaple leg 566 can extend from the distal portion 570 of the base 562.In certain embodiments, the intermediate portion 572 of the base 560 canextend along an axis D (FIG. 53), which can be parallel and/orsubstantially parallel to an axis C (FIG. 53) defined between the firststaple leg 564 and the second staple leg 566, for example.

In various instances, the staple legs 564, 566 can be cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical, for example, and can include a staple tip574, which can be tapered and/or include a sharp edge or point forpiercing tissue, for example. In various instances, the staple 560 canbe formed from a wire. For example, a wire can be bent, twisted and/orotherwise manipulated to form the staple 560. Referring still to FIGS.52-55, the wire can be manipulated at curves 579a, 579b, 579c, and/or579d. For example, the staple base 562 can include angled portions 578,which can be angularly oriented relative to the intermediate portion 572of the staple base 562 and/or relative to the axis C defined between thefirst and second staple legs 564, 566, for example. In variousembodiments, the wire forming the staple 560 can curve at 579a betweenthe first staple leg 564 and the angled portion 578a, curve at 579bbetween the angled portion 578a and the intermediate portion 572, curveat 579c between the intermediate portion 572 and the angled portion578b, and/or curve at 579d between the angled portion 578b and secondstaple leg 566, for example. For example, the intermediate portion 572of the base 562 can be laterally offset from the axis C (FIG. 53)extending between the first staple leg 564 and the second staple leg566.

In various embodiments, the diameter of the wire can define the widthand depth of the staple legs 564, 566 and/or the staple base 562, forexample. In some embodiments, the wire and/or portions thereof can bedrawn and/or rolled to modify the dimensions of the staple 560 and/orelements of the staple 560. Furthermore, the wire can have a roundedand/or polygonal perimeter. In certain embodiments, the wire can be cutat an angle to form the staple tips 574, for example. Similar to thestaples 160, 260, 360 and/or 460 described herein, the staple 560 caninclude a leg formation plane, e.g., the plane defined by the axis C,which can be offset from the center of mass of the base 562 of thestaple 560, for example.

Further to the above, turning now to FIG. 65, an end effector, such asend effector 120, for example, can include a staple cartridge 240positioned within an elongate channel 122 and, in addition, an anvil 124positionable opposite the staple cartridge 240. In various instances,the cartridge 240 can include a plurality of staple cavities 244, afastener, such as staple 460, for example, positioned in each of thestaple cavities 244, and a longitudinal slot 243 configured to slidablyreceive a knife 158 therein. While staples 460 are depicted inconnection with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 65, any suitable stapleor fastener could be used with this embodiment, such as staples 160, forexample. Referring generally to FIGS. 73 and 74, the end effector 120can extend from a shaft 114 which can include a closure tube 115. Whenthe closure tube 115 is advanced distally, the closure tube 115 cancontact the anvil 124 and rotate the anvil 124 between an open position(FIG. 73) and a closed position (FIG. 74). Once the anvil 124 has beenclosed, the knife 158 can be advanced distally to transect tissuecaptured between the anvil 124 and the cartridge 240. In certain endeffectors disclosed herein, the cartridge positioned within the endeffector 120 can further include a fastener firing actuator, such assled 190, for example, which is pushed distally by the knife 158 todeploy staples from the cartridge at the same time that the knife 158transects the tissue. With regard to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 65,a staple cartridge can include a fastener firing actuator, such as sledassembly 790, for example, which can be advanced distally with, oralongside, the knife 158 to eject the staples 460 from the cartridge240. For instance, the shaft 114 of the stapler can include a firing bar157 configured to advance the knife 158 and, in addition, pusher bars159 configured to advance the sled assembly 790. While the firing bar157 and the pusher bars 159 may be advanced concurrently, in variouscircumstances, their operation can be timed in such a way that theirinitial distal movement can be staggered relative to one another, asdescribed in greater detail further below. In addition to the initialrelative movement between the firing bar 157 and the pusher bars 159,the sled assembly 790 can include two or more portions which can moverelative to one another, as will also be described in greater detailfurther below.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 66-69, the sled assembly 790 can include afirst sled portion 792 and a second sled portion 793. The first sledportion 792 can include an inner ramp portion 791 a and an outer rampportion 791 b. As illustrated in FIGS. 66 and 67, the outer ramp portion791 b is positioned laterally with respect to the inner ramp portion 791a. The outer ramp portion 791 b also extends distally with respect tothe inner ramp portion 791 a. Similarly, the second sled portion 793 caninclude an inner ramp portion 794 a and an outer ramp portion 794 b. Asillustrated in FIGS. 68 and 69, the outer ramp portion 794 b ispositioned laterally with respect to the inner ramp portion 794 a. Theouter ramp portion 794 b also extends distally with respect to the innerramp portion 794 a. In various instances, the inner ramp portion 791 acan be configured to lift, or at least partially lift, an inner row ofstaples while the outer ramp portion 791 b can be configured to lift, orat least partially lift, an outer row of staples. As primarily depictedin FIG. 67, the inner ramp portion 791 a and the outer ramp portion 791b can each include a ramp surface, such as ramp surfaces 795 a and 795b, respectively, which can slide underneath the staples in the inner rowof staples and the outer row of staples, respectively. The ramp surfaces795 a and 795 b of the inner ramp portion 791 a and the outer rampportion 791 b can be configured to lift staples from an unfired positionto an at least partially-fired position. In various instances, the rampsurfaces 795 a and 795 b of the inner ramp portion 791 a and the outerramp portion 791 b can each comprise at least one inclined surface,curved surface, actuate surface, and/or convex surface, for example.

Further to the above, the inner ramp portion 794 a of the second sledportion 793 can include an inner ramp surface 796 a and, similarly, theouter ramp portion 794 b of the second sled portion 793 can include anouter ramp surface 796 b. In various instances, the inner ramp surface795 a of the first sled portion 792 can be configured to co-operate withthe inner ramp surface 796 a of the second sled portion 793 to lift thestaples in the inner row of staples from their unfired positions andtheir fully-fired positions. More particularly, the inner ramp portion791 a can lift the staples in the inner row of staples from an unfiredposition to a partially-fired position wherein the inner ramp portion794 a can then lift the staples from their partially-fired positions toa fully-fired position, for instance. In such circumstances, the liftingmotion of the staples in the inner row of staples can be initiated bythe inner ramp portion 791 a of the first sled portion 792, transferredto the inner ramp surface 796 a of the second ramp portion 793, and thencompleted by the second ramp portion 793. Similarly, the outer rampsurface 795 b of the first sled portion 792 can be configured toco-operate with the outer ramp surface 796 b of the second sled portion793 to lift the staples in the outer row of staples from their unfiredpositions and their fully-fired positions. More particularly, the outerramp portion 791 b can lift the staples in the outer row of staples froman unfired position to a partially-fired position wherein the outer rampportion 794 b can then lift the staples from their partially-firedpositions to a fully-fired position, for instance. In suchcircumstances, the lifting motion of the staples in the outer row ofstaples can be initiated by the outer ramp portion 791 b of the firstsled portion 792, transferred to the outer ramp surface 796 b of thesecond ramp portion 793, and then completed by the second ramp portion793. The firing, or lifting, motion of the staples in the inner row ofstaples can be completed once the apex 798 of the inner ramp portion 794a has passed underneath the staples. Similarly, the firing, or lifting,motion of the staples in the outer row of staples can be completed oncethe apex 798 of the outer ramp portion 794 b has passed underneath thestaples.

Referring again to FIG. 65, the sled assembly 790 can include more thanone first sled portion 792 and/or more than one second sled portion 793.In various instances, the sled assembly 790 can comprise a first set ofsled portions comprising a first sled portion 792 and a second sledportion 793 and a second set of sled portions comprising a first sledportion 792 and a second sled portion 793. In certain instances, thesecond set of sled portions can constitute a mirror image of the firstset. For the purposes of simplifying the description of the sledassembly 790 herein, reference may be made to only one set of sledportions; however, the reader should appreciate that the descriptionregarding the operation of one set of sled portions could also apply tothe concurrent operation of any suitable number sets of sled portions.

Further to the above, the outer staple rows of the cartridge 240, i.e.,the rows furthest away from the channel 243, can lead the inner staplerows, i.e., the rows closest to the channel 243. Stated another way, thedeformation of the staples in the outer row can begin before, or atleast slightly before, the deformation of the laterally adjacent staplesin the inner row. In other instances, the outer staple rows of thecartridge 240, i.e., the rows furthest away from the channel 243, canlag the inner staple rows, i.e., the rows closest to the channel 243.Stated another way, the deformation of the staples in the inner row canbegin before, or at least slightly before, the deformation of thelaterally adjacent staples in the outer row. Moreover, while two staplesrows are disclosed on each side of the channel 243 defined in thecartridge 240, other embodiments are envisioned in which more than twostaple rows, such as three staple rows, for example, are present on eachside of the channel 243. In such embodiments, the sled assemblies can beconfigured to deploy an additional row of staples at the same time asthe inner row of staples, at the same time as the outer row of staples,and/or at a time which is staged sequentially with respect to the innerrow of staples and the outer row of staples.

As mentioned above, the first sled portion 792 is movable relative tothe second sled portion 793 of the sled assembly 790. Turning now toFIGS. 70-72, the sled assembly 790 is movable between an initial,unfired configuration (FIG. 70) and a second, extended configuration(FIGS. 71 and 72). In the initial, unfired configuration of sledassembly 790, referring primarily to FIG. 70, the first sled portion 792is collapsed within, or retracted relative to, the second portion 793.In at least one such instance, the distal end of the first sled portion792 may not extend beyond the distal end of the second sled portion 793.In other instances, although not illustrated, the distal end of thefirst sled portion 792 may extend beyond the distal end of the secondsled portion 793 when the first sled portion 792 is collapsed within thesecond portion 793. With further reference to FIG. 70, the reader willfurther appreciate that the staples 460 are in an unfired position asthey have not yet been lifted toward the anvil 124. Upon comparing FIGS.70 and 71, the reader will notice that the first sled portion 792 hasbeen extended relative to the second sled portion 793. In suchcircumstances, the distal end of the first sled portion 792 ispositioned distally with respect to the distal end of the second sledportion 793. The movement of the first sled portion 792 from itsinitial, unfired position to its extended position can position theinner ramp portion 791 a and/or the outer ramp portion 791 b of thefirst sled portion 792 underneath one or more staples 460. In otherconfigurations, the movement of the first sled portion 792 from itsinitial, unfired position to its extended position may not position theinner ramp portion 791 a and/or the outer ramp portion 791 b underneathone or more staples 460. In any event, as illustrated in FIG. 71, theextension of the first sled portion 792 can at least partially lift atleast one staple 460 toward the anvil 124 and/or at least partiallydeform at least one staple 460 against the anvil 124. In certaininstances, the extension of the first sled portion 792 can completelylift, or completely deform, at least one staple 460 against the anvil124. In various circumstances, the second sled portion 793 may not beadvanced distally when the first sled portion 792 is moved into itsextended position; however, in certain circumstances, at least somedistal movement of the second sled portion 793 may occur when the firstsled portion 792 is moved into its extended position.

Upon comparing FIGS. 71 and 72, it can be noted that the first sledportion 792 and the second sled portion 793 have been advanced distallyto lift staples 460 toward the anvil 124. The first sled portion 792 andthe second sled portion 793 can then be advanced to the distal end ofthe end effector 120 to complete the firing stroke of the end effector120, which will be discussed in greater detail further below. In anyevent, the initial progression of the sled assembly 790 during thefiring stroke of the end effector 120 is depicted in FIGS. 70-72. FIG.70 depicts the sled assembly 790 in a retracted, unfired position; FIG.71 depicts the sled assembly 790 in an extended, partially-firedposition; and FIG. 72 depicts the sled assembly 790 in an extended,fired position. As outlined above, the pusher bar, or bars, 159 can bemoved distally in order to advance the sled assembly 790 through theprogression depicted in FIGS. 70-72. With reference to FIG. 70, a pusherbar 159 is illustrated in an initial, unfired position in which it is incontact with the proximal end of the first sled portion 792. In variousembodiments, the pusher bar 159 can include a contact flange 155extending from the distal end thereof which can engage the first sledportion 792. With further reference to FIG. 70, the pusher bar 159 maynot be in contact with the second sled portion 793 when the pusher bar159 is in its initial, unfired position. As the pusher bar 159 isadvanced distally, the pusher bar 159 can move the first sled portion792 distally until the contact flange 155 comes into contact with theproximal end of the second sled portion 793, as illustrated in FIG. 71.It is this relative motion between the first sled portion 792 and thesecond sled portion 793 which extends the sled assembly 790 as discussedabove. Thereafter, the pusher bar 159 can be advanced distally in orderto advance the first sled portion 792 and the second sled portion 793distally at the same time, as illustrated in FIG. 72.

As discussed above, the end effector 120 can be configured to staple andtransect tissue at the same time. Referring again to FIG. 65, the endeffector 120 can include a firing member, or knife bar, 156 comprising aknife edge 158 configured to transect the tissue as the knife bar 156 isadvanced distally. Referring again to FIGS. 70 and 71, the initialdistal movement of the pusher bar, or bars, 159 may not be transferredto the knife bar 156. Stated another way, the knife bar 156 may remainstationary, or at least substantially stationary, while the sledassembly 790 is moved between its retracted position (FIG. 70) and itsextended position (FIG. 71). In such circumstances, relative movementbetween the pusher bars 159 and the knife bar 156 can occur, at leastduring the initial portion of the end effector firing stroke. Uponcomparing FIGS. 74 and 77, it can be seen that, one, the pusher bars 159have been advanced distally to extend the sled assembly 790 and, two,the knife bar 156 has not been advanced distally. Particular attentioncan be paid to the proximal ends of the knife bar 156 and the pusherbars 159. More particularly, the pusher bars 159 can include a drive pin759 extending therebetween which extends through a drive slot 757defined in the drive bar 157 extending proximally from the knife bar156. When the pusher bars 159 are in their proximal unfired position, asillustrated in FIG. 74, the drive pin 759 is positioned in the proximalend of the drive slot 757. When the pusher bars 159 are advanceddistally, as illustrated in FIG. 77, the drive pin 759 can slidedistally within the drive slot 757 until the drive pin 759 reaches thedistal end of the drive slot 757. In such a position, the sled 790 hasbeen fully extended and the knife bar 156 has not yet been advanceddistally with the pusher bars 159. Once the drive pin 759 is in contactwith the distal end of the drive slot 757, as illustrated in FIGS. 78and 79, the pusher bars 156 and the knife bar 159 can be advanceddistally together.

Further to the above, the knife bar 156 can include flanges 153 and 155which can be configured to engage the anvil 124 and the staple cartridgechannel 123, respectively. When the knife bar 156 is in its proximal,unadvanced position, as illustrated in FIG. 77, the flange 153 can bepositioned proximally with respect to a slot 121 defined in the anvil124. In such a position of the knife bar 156, the flange 155 may or maynot be positioned within a slot defined within and/or in the exterior ofthe cartridge channel 123. As the knife bar 156 is advanced distally,the flange 153 can enter into the anvil slot 121 and the flange 155 canbe positioned within the cartridge channel slot. In such circumstances,the knife bar 156 can set the gap, or tissue gap distance, between theanvil 124 and the staple cartridge positioned within the cartridgechannel 123. In various circumstances, the knife bar 156 can control theforming height and/or the compression of the tissue within the endeffector 120 as the knife bar 156 is advanced distally.

The arrangement described above in which the pusher bars 159 move thesled assembly 790 before the pusher bars 159 advance the knife 158 canbe advantageous in many circumstances. For instance, it is oftendesirable to staple tissue before it is incised and, thus, the formationof the staples leads, or at least sufficiently leads, the transection ofthe tissue by the knife bar 156. The staggered deployment of the sled790 and the knife bar 156 can facilitate such a relative progressionbetween the staple formation and the tissue incision. Moreover, the sled790 can be compactly stored in the end effector 120 in its retracted,unfired configuration in order to permit a shorter proximal-to-distal,or longitudinal, length of the end effector 120. Stated another way,less longitudinal room may be required for a sled assembly that canbegin its firing stroke in at least partially collapsed state.Furthermore, owing to the longitudinal extendibility of the sledassembly 790, the staple lifting surfaces of the sled assembly 790 canbe longer and can include a shallower, or less aggressive, ramp anglethan a unitary sled, for instance. Stated another way, the mechanicaladvantage of the sled assembly 790 can be improved owing to longerlongitudinal lengths available for the ramps of the sled assembly 790.

Turning now to FIGS. 80-82, the sled assembly 790 and the knife bar 156can be advanced distally toward the distal end of the end effector 120to complete the firing stroke of the end effector 120. As the sled 790approaches the distal end of the end effector 120, in various instances,the first sled portion 792 can contact a distal end 245 of the staplecartridge and retract relative to and/or within the second sled portion793. More particularly, the distal end 245 can block the distal movementof the first sled portion 792 while the second sled portion 793 isadvanced distally relative to the first sled portion 792 in order tocomplete the firing stroke. In various instances, the second sledportion 793 can be advanced distally until it also contacts the distalend 245 of the staple cartridge while, in other instances, the firingstroke can be completed before the second sled portion 793 contacts thedistal end 245. In either event, in embodiments where the distal flanges155 of the pusher bars 159 push the first sled portion 792 and thesecond sled portion 793 toward the distal end of the end effector 120,the first sled portion 792 may become disengaged from the pusher bars159 when the first sled portion 792 reaches the distal end so that thatthe pusher bars 159 can push the second sled portion 793 relative to thefirst sled portion 792. In at least one such instance, referringprimarily to FIG. 77, the distal end of the staple cartridge can includea boss 241 which can be configured to lift the first sled portion 792upwardly toward the anvil 124 so that the pusher bars 159 can slideunderneath the first sled portion 792. In such circumstances, the firstsled portion 792 can be operatively disengaged from the second sledportion 793 and the pusher bars 159. In various instances, the boss 241can be positioned and arranged such that the first sled portion 792 islifted upwardly after all of the staples of the staple cartridge havebeen deployed and/or transferred to the second sled portion 793, asdiscussed above. Moreover, further to the above, the distal end of thestaple cartridge can include a first boss 241 configured to lift a firstsled portion 792 and a second boss 241 configured to lift an additionalfirst sled portion 792. In various instances, the bosses 241 can beconfigured to synchronously lift the first sled portions 792 at the sametime. In some instances, the bosses 241 can be configured to lift thefirst sled portions 792 sequentially.

Referring now to FIGS. 85-88, FIG. 85 depicts the sled assembly 790 inits initial, unfired configuration. Further to the above, a pusher bar159 can contact a proximal end 789 of the first sled portion 792 andpush the first sled portion 792 distally until the proximal end 789 ofthe first sled portion 792 is flush with a proximal end 787 of thesecond sled portion 793, as illustrated in FIG. 86. At such point, thefirst sled portion 792 can be fully extended relative to the second sledportion 793. Thereafter, the pusher bar 156 can push on the proximal end787 and the proximal end 789 simultaneously to advance the sled assembly790 distally. As also discussed above, referring now to FIG. 87, thefirst sled portion 792 can be stopped by the distal end 245 of thestaple cartridge and lifted upwardly by the boss 241 of the staplecartridge, for instance. At such point, the first sled portion 792 canbe elevated relative to the second sled portion 793, and the distalflange 155, such that the second sled portion 793 can be slid relativeto, and at least partially underneath, the first sled portion 792, inorder to collapse the sled assembly 790, as illustrated in FIG. 88. Uponcomparing FIGS. 87 and 88, it can be seen that the second sled portion793 is moved closer toward ledge 788 defined in the bottom surface ofthe first sled portion 792 and that the distal end 789 of the first sledportion 792 is no longer aligned with the distal end 787 of the secondsled portion 793.

After the firing stroke has been completed, referring now to FIGS. 83and 84, the knife bar 156 and the pusher bars 159 can be retractedproximally. In various circumstances, the knife bar 156 can be pulledproximally by the pusher bars 159. More particularly, the pusher bars159 can be retracted proximally relative to the knife bar 159 until thedrive pin 759 contacts the proximal end of the drive slot 759. At suchpoint, the pusher bars 159 can pull the knife bar 156 proximally untilthe flange 153 of the knife bar 156 is no longer positioned within theslot 121 of the anvil 124. Thereafter, the anvil 124 can be moved intoits open position when the closure tube 115 is pulled proximally. Incertain instances, the staple cartridge can comprise a replaceablestaple cartridge. In such instances, the spent staple cartridge can beremoved from the cartridge channel 122 and, if desired, an unspentstaple cartridge can be positioned within the cartridge channel 122 sothat the surgical instrument can be used once again.

As illustrated in FIGS. 83 and 84, the collapsed sled assembly 790 canbe left behind in the distal end of the end effector 120 when the knifebar 156 and the pusher bars 159 are retracted. In the event that thespent staple cartridge is removed from the cartridge channel 122, thecollapsed sled assembly 790 can be removed from the end effector 120with the cartridge. In certain instances, a staple cartridge may not becompletely spent before the pusher bars 159 and the knife bar 156 areretracted. In such instances, the sled assembly 790 may only bepartially advanced within the staple cartridge and may not be collapsedback into its unextended configuration. When the staple cartridge isthen removed from the cartridge channel 123, some of the staples maystill be positioned within their staple cavities.

As discussed herein, a firing actuator, or sled, of a staple cartridgeand/or stapling instrument can include one or more inclined rampsurfaces configured to lift, or deploy, staples between an unfiredposition and a fired position. For instance, a sled can include a firstinclined ramp surface configured to deploy a first row of staples, asecond inclined ramp surface configured to deploy a second row ofstaples, and so forth. Each inclined ramp surface can comprise acontiguous surface which is configured to engage each staple in thecorresponding row of staples and lift the staples until they have beenfully deformed against an anvil positioned opposite the staplecartridge. The contiguous surface which defines each inclined rampsurface can include any suitable number of contours such as, forinstance, one or more linear surfaces and/or one or more curvedsurfaces. In various instances, the contiguous surface can directlyengage each staple in the corresponding row of staples and can remaincontinuously engaged with a staple in that row as it moved from itsunfired position to its fully-fired position. After a staple has reachedits fully-fired position, the inclined ramp surface may becomedisengaged from that staple. This arrangement can be possible for sledswith relatively movable components, such as sled assembly 790, forinstance, and/or sleds that are not comprised of relatively movablecomponents, such as sleds comprised of a unitary piece of material, forexample.

In various circumstances, a firing actuator, or sled, can comprise oneor more inclined ramp surfaces, wherein each inclined ramped surface iscomprised of two or more co-operating drive surfaces. For instance,turning now to FIG. 92, a sled 890 can include a first inclined rampsurface 891 a which is comprised of an initial, or first, drive surface895 a and a second, or final, drive surface 896 a. The initial drivesurface 895 a and the final drive surface 896 a of the first inclinedramp surface 891 a can be configured to co-operatively lift the staplesin a first staple row between an unfired position and a fired position.As the sled 890 is moved distally through a staple cartridge, referringto FIGS. 89-92, the initial drive surface 895 a can contact a staple160, for instance, and lift the staple 160 from its unfired position(FIG. 89) to a partially-fired position (FIG. 90). Thereafter, the sled890 can be advanced distally such that the final drive surface 896 a canlift the staple 160 between its partially-fired position and itsfully-fired position. In various instances, the initial drive surface895 a can contact the initial drive surfaces 180 of the staples 160 tolift the staples 160 into their partially-fired positions and the finaldrive surface 896 a can contact the second drive surfaces 182 of thestaples 160 to lift the staples 160 into their finally-fired positions.In such instances, the staples 160 can be transferred from the initialdrive surface 895 a to the final drive surface 896 a to complete thedeployment, or firing, thereof. Referring to FIG. 92, the deployment, orfiring, of a staple 160 can be complete once the apex 898 of the firstinclined ramp surface 891 a has passed under the second drive surface182 of the staple 160.

Further to the above, referring again to FIG. 92, the initial drivesurface 895 a and the final drive surface 896 a of the first inclinedramp surface 891 a can be configured to co-operatively deploy stapleswithin a first row of staples. The sled 890 can include additionalinclined ramp surfaces to deploy additional rows of staples. Forinstance, the sled 890 can include a second inclined ramp surface 891 bcomprising an initial drive surface 895 b and a final drive surface 896b which can be configured to co-operatively deploy staples within asecond row of staples. In various instances, the sled 890 can furtherinclude any suitable number of inclined ramp surfaces, such as a thirdinclined ramp surface, similar to first inclined ramp surface 891 a,configured to deploy staples within a third row of staples and a fourthinclined ramp surface, similar to second inclined ramp surface 891 b,configured to deploy staples within a fourth row of staples, forexample. In any event, the drive surfaces of an inclined drive surface,such as drive surfaces 895 a, 895 b, 896 a, and 896 b, for example, caninclude any suitable configuration such as a linear profile and/or acurved profile, for example. With further reference to FIG. 92, thefirst inclined ramp surface 891 a can include a transition drive surface897 a intermediate the initial drive surface 895 a and the final drivesurface 896 a. Similarly, the second inclined ramp surface 891 b caninclude a transition drive surface 897 b intermediate the initial drivesurface 895 b and the final drive surface 896 b. In various instances, atransition drive surface can comprise a transition between one drivesurface and another drive surface. In some instances, a transition drivesurface can comprise a surface which simultaneously drives the initialdrive surface 180 and the second drive surface 182 of a staple 160, forexample. In various instances, an inclined ramp surface can include anysuitable number of drive surfaces.

In various instances, further to the above, the initial drive surface895 a can be positioned laterally with respect to the final drivesurface 896 a. In certain instances, the initial drive surface 895 a andthe final drive surface 896 a can be connected to one another. In otherinstances, the initial drive surface 895 a and the final drive surface896 a may not be connected to one another. In various circumstances, theinitial drive surface 895 a can be defined by a first height and thefinal drive surface 896 a can be defined by a second height which istaller than the first height. In certain circumstances, the initialdrive surface 895 a can be defined along a first longitudinal axis andthe final drive surface 896 a can be defined along a second longitudinalaxis. In certain instances, the first longitudinal axis and the secondlongitudinal axis can be parallel. In some instances, the initial drivesurface 895 a can be defined by a first plane and the final drivesurface 896 a can be defined by a second plane which is parallel to thefirst plane. In other instances, the first longitudinal axis and thesecond longitudinal axis can be non-parallel. In some instances, thefirst longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis can extend indirections which converge. In other instances, the first longitudinalaxis and the second longitudinal axis can extend in directions which donot converge. In various instances, further to the above, the transitiondrive surface 897 a of the first inclined surface 891 a can be definedalong an axis which is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and/orthe second longitudinal axis. In certain instances, the transition drivesurface 897 a can be defined along an axis which is not parallel to thefirst longitudinal axis and/or the second longitudinal axis. In variousinstances, further to the above, the transition drive surface 897 a ofthe first inclined surface 891 a can be defined within a plane which isparallel to the first plane and/or the second plane. In some instances,the transition drive surface 897 a can be co-planar with the initialdrive surface 895 a and/or the final drive surface 896 a. In certaininstances, the transition drive surface 897 a can be defined within aplane which is different than the first plane and/or the second plane.In various instances, further to the above, the transition drive surface897 a can connect the initial drive surface 895 a to the final drivesurface 896 a.

The discussion provided above in connection with inclined ramp surface891 a, initial drive surface 895 a, final drive surface 896 a, andtransition drive surface 897 a can be equally applicable to inclinedramp surface 891 b, initial drive surface 895 b, final drive surface 896b, and transition drive surface 897 b, for example.

In various circumstances, further to the above, the first inclined rampsurface 891 a can be parallel to the second inclined ramp surface 891 b.In other instances, the first inclined ramp surface 891 a may not beparallel to the second inclined ramp surface 891 b. In variousinstances, the first inclined ramp surface 891 a can be defined by afirst height and the second inclined ramp surface 891 b can be definedby a second height. In some instances, the first height can be the sameas the second height. In such instances, a first row of staples formedby the first inclined ramp surface 891 a and a second row of staplesformed by the second inclined ramp surface 891 b can be formed to thesame height. In other instances, the first height can be different thatthe second height. In such instances, a first row of staples formed bythe first inclined ramp surface 891 a and a second row of staples formedby the second inclined ramp surface 891 b can be formed to differentheights. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,070, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS,which issued on Nov. 27, 2012, is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

As discussed above, a sled can directly drive and deploy a staple and/orany other suitable fastener stored within a cartridge. Stated anotherway, the sled can directly contact the staples wherein a driver is notpresent intermediate the sled and the staples. Such an arrangement isdifferent than arrangements which include a plurality of drivers whichsupport the staples. In such arrangements, the sled engages the driversto lift the staples. In these arrangements, the drivers are oftenconfigured to completely eject the staples from the staple cavities inwhich they are stored. More particularly, the drivers are configured tolift the staples such that the staples are completely positioned abovethe top surface, or deck, of the staple cartridge when the staples arein their fully-fired position. In order to completely lift the staplesabove the deck of the staple cartridge, the drivers may also be at leastpartially lifted above the deck. Such an arrangement can becharacterized as overdriving the staples. Many of the teachingsdiscussed herein can be applied to embodiments including one or moresleds which directly drive staples and, in addition, embodimentsincluding a plurality of drivers which are driven by one or more sledsin order to drive the staples. For instance, sled 890 is discussed inconnection with embodiments in which it directly drives staples 160;however, sled 890 could also be used in embodiments which includedrivers configured to deploy staples from the staple cavities. In suchembodiments, each driver could include a first drive surface similar tofirst drive surface 180 configured to be engaged by the initial drivesurface 895 a, for instance, and a second drive surface similar tosecond drive surface 182 configured to be engaged by the final drivesurface 896 a, for instance.

In the embodiments disclosed herein in which the staples are drivendirectly by the sled, i.e., without the use of drivers, further to theabove, the staples can be completely lifted above the deck, oroverdriven, by the sled itself. Turning now to FIGS. 91-94, the sled 890is configured to partially extend above the deck surface 141 of thecartridge 142. More particularly, the apex 898 of the first inclinedramp surface 891 a and the apex 898 of the second inclined ramp surface891 b can extend above the deck surface 141 as the inclined rampsurfaces 891 a and 891 b pass through and/or between the cavities 144 toeject the staples 160, for example, from the staple cavities 144. Insuch circumstances, the sled 890 is configured to partially extend abovethe staple cavity openings defined in the deck surface 141. In variousinstances, the cartridge 142 can further comprise a plurality ofcoverings 145 positioned within and/or aligned with the rows of staplecavities 144. For instance, a covering 145 can be positionedintermediate adjacent staple cavities 144 within a staple cavity row. Incertain instances, a covering 145 can be positioned proximally and/ordistally with respect to a staple cavity 144. In various instances,referring primarily to FIG. 94, the apexes 898 of the inclined rampsurfaces 891 can pass underneath the coverings 145. In such instances,each covering 145 can include a bottom surface, such as an arched bottomsurface 147, for example, configured to permit the inclined rampsurfaces 891 to pass thereunder. With further reference to FIG. 94, thecartridge 142 can include a first longitudinal slot 149 configured toslidably receive the first inclined ramp surface 891 a therein and asecond longitudinal slot 149 configured to receive the second inclinedramp surface 891 b, for example. In various instances, the cartridge 142can include a plurality of longitudinal slots 149 configured to receivethe inclined ramp surfaces of the sled 890. In certain instances, thelongitudinal slots 149 can be defined by the coverings 145 and thestaple cavities 144. In some circumstances, each longitudinal slot 149can correspond to a longitudinal row of staple cavities 144 wherein alongitudinal slot 149 can place the staple cavities 144 within a staplecavity row in communication with each other such that an inclined rampsurface passing through the longitudinal slot 149 can pass through thestaple cavities 144 as outlined above.

In various instances, the deck of a cartridge can be configured todirectly contact the tissue being fastened and/or support the tissuebeing fastened. In certain circumstances, a cartridge assembly caninclude a layer positioned on the deck, such as a tissue thicknesscompensator, for example, which is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/894,369, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISINGA SUPPORT RETAINER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2012/0080344, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2010, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/097,856, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLESPOSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0080336, which was filed on Apr. 29,2011, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,066, entitled CURVEDEND EFFECTOR FOR A STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0080498, which was filed on Sep. 23, 2011. Theentire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,369,entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SUPPORT RETAINER,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0080344, which wasfiled on Sep. 30, 2010, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,856,entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN ACOMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2012/0080336, which was filed on Apr. 29, 2011, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/242,066, entitled CURVED END EFFECTOR FOR ASTAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2012/0080498, which was filed on Sep. 23, 2011, are incorporated hereinby reference. In various instances, referring again to FIG. 93, the deck141 and the coverings 145 can be configured to directly contact tissue.In such instances, coverings 145 can extend above the deck 141 and, as aresult, the deck 141 and the coverings 145 can comprise an unevensupport surface. The coverings 145, in various instances, can apply anadditional compressive pressure to the tissue positioned directly aboveand/or adjacent to each longitudinal row of staples. This additionalcompressive pressure can push fluids present within the tissue away fromthe staple lines prior to, during, and/or after the staple formingprocess which, as a result, can promote better staple formation and/orstaple retention within the tissue. The coverings 145 can also beconfigured to grip the tissue positioned between a staple cartridge andan anvil, especially along the staple lines where the staple formationoccurs. The coverings can also be configured to support the staples asthe staples are being ejected from the staple pockets to provide alocalized control over the staple forming process. The entiredisclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitledSTAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2012/0074198, which was filed on Sep. 29, 2010, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/851,676, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATORCOMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER PATH, which was filed on March 27, 2013, areincorporated by reference herein.

As discussed above, referring primarily to FIGS. 58, 61, and 64, astaple cavity, such as staple cavity 144, for example, can include afirst sidewall 150 a and a second sidewall 150 b which can be configuredto guide a staple, such as a staple 160, for example, as it is liftedbetween an unfired position and a fired position. In various instances,the sidewalls 150 a, 150 b can be configured and arranged such that theentirety of the staple 160 is positioned intermediate the sidewalls 150a, 150 b when the staple 160 is in its unfired position. In othercircumstances, referring primarily to FIGS. 22-31, the sidewalls 150 ofthe staple cavity 144 may be configured such that less than the entiretyof the staple 160 is positioned intermediate the sidewalls 150 when thestaple 160 is in its unfired position. For instance, the base 162 of thestaples 160 in the outermost rows of staple cavities 144 defined in thecartridge body 142 may be unsupported by at least one of the sidewalls150 when the staples 160 are in their unfired positions. As the staples160 are lifted upwardly, however, the bases 162 of the staples 160 maythen be supported by both of the sidewalls 150. Turning now to FIGS. 93and 94, some of the staple cavities 144 of the cartridge 142, such ascavities 144 a, for example, may only support both sides of the bases162 at the end of their lifting motion. In any event, even though thesidewalls of the staple cavities 144 defined in the cartridge body 142may not entirely support the staples 160 in their unfired positions, thecartridge channel 123 of jaw 122, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 65, mayat least partially support the staples 160. Stated another way, thecartridge body 142 and the cartridge channel 123 may co-operate todefine the staple cavities 144 in order to support and/or surround thestaples 160 throughout the lifting motion of the staples 160. Forinstance, the cartridge body 142 and the cartridge channel 123 canco-operate to support and/or surround a staple 160 when the staple 160is in its unlifted position. At some point during the lifting motion ofthe staple 160, in some circumstances, the cartridge channel 123 may nolonger support and/or the staple 160 and, in such circumstances, thecartridge body 142 may entirely support the staple 160 for the remainderof the lifting motion. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge channel123 and the cartridge body 142 may co-operate to support the staple 160for half, or approximately half, of the lifting motion. In otherembodiments, the cartridge channel 123 and the cartridge body 142 mayco-operate to support the staple 160 for less than half or more thanhalf of the lifting motion. In some instances, the cartridge body 142and the cartridge channel 123 may co-operatively support and/or surroundthe staple 160 throughout the entire lifting motion of the staple 160.

Various embodiments described herein are described in the context oflinear end effectors and/or linear fastener cartridges. Suchembodiments, and the teachings thereof, can be applied to non-linear endeffectors and/or non-linear fastener cartridges, such as, for example,circular and/or contoured end effectors. For example, various endeffectors, including non-linear end effectors, are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, filed Feb. 28, 2011, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2011/0226837, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Additionally, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461,filed Sep. 29, 2012, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0074198, is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873,filed Feb. 15, 2008, entitled END EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING ANDSTAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443, is also herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. The entire disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 7,845,537, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDINGCAPABILITIES, which issued on Dec. 7, 2010 is incorporated by referenceherein. The entire disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/118,241,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719,which was filed on May 27, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps ofdisassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement ofparticular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devicecan be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts ofthe device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination.Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can bereassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, orby a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device canutilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement,and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioneddevice, are all within the scope of the present application.

Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessarycleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilizationtechnique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container,such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are thenplaced in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such asgamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation killsbacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilizedinstrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealedcontainer keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medicalfacility.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising: acartridge body, comprising: a deck; a plurality of fastener cavities; aplurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partiallystored within a said fastener cavity; and a sled configured to ejectsaid fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position toa partially-lifted position; and a second ramp configured to lift saidfasteners from said partially-lifted position and an ejected position,wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp.
 2. Thefastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said sled is movablebetween a proximal unfired position, an intermediate partially-firedposition, and a distal fired position during a firing stroke, whereinsaid first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second rampwhen said sled is in said proximal unfired position, and wherein saidfirst ramp is extended relative to said second ramp when said sled is insaid intermediate partially-fired position.
 3. The fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 2, wherein said first ramp is at least partiallycollapsed within said second ramp when said sled is in said distal firedposition.
 4. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 3, wherein saidcartridge body comprises a distal end, and wherein said sled isconfigured to contact said distal end to collapse said first ramprelative to said second ramp.
 5. The fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said sled is movable between an unfired position, apartially-fired position, and a fired position during a firing stroke,wherein said first ramp is in a retracted position relative to saidsecond ramp when said sled is in said unfired position, and wherein saidfirst ramp is in an extended position relative to said second ramp whensaid sled is in said partially-fired position.
 6. The fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 4, wherein said first ramp is in said retractedposition when said sled is in said fired position.
 7. The fastenercartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fasteners arearranged in at least one longitudinal row.
 8. The fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged ina plurality of longitudinal rows.
 9. The fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage saidfasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engagesaid fasteners.
 10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of fastener drivers, wherein said fastenerdrivers are positioned underneath said fasteners, and wherein said firstramp and said second ramp are configured to directly engage saidfastener drivers to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities.11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, further comprising ananvil.
 12. A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgicalinstrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge comprising: acartridge body, comprising: a deck; a plurality of fastener cavities; aplurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partiallystored within a said fastener cavity; and a firing member configured tomove said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing membercomprises: a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward theanvil; and a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward theanvil, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp.13. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 12, wherein said firingmember is movable between a proximal unfired position, an intermediatepartially-fired position, and a distal fired position during a firingstroke, wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed withinsaid second ramp when said firing member is in said proximal unfiredposition, and wherein said first ramp is extended relative to saidsecond ramp when said firing member is in said intermediatepartially-fired position.
 14. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim13, wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within saidsecond ramp when said firing member is in said distal fired position.15. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 14, wherein said cartridgebody comprises a distal end, and wherein said firing member isconfigured to contact said distal end to collapse said first ramprelative to said second ramp.
 16. The fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 15, wherein said first ramp is in said retracted position whensaid firing member is in said fired position.
 17. The fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 12, wherein said plurality of fasteners are arrangedin at least one longitudinal row.
 18. The fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 12, wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in aplurality of longitudinal rows.
 19. The fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 12, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage saidfasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engagesaid fasteners.
 20. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 12, furthercomprising a plurality of fastener drivers, wherein said fastenerdrivers are positioned underneath said fasteners, and wherein said firstramp and said second ramp are configured to directly engage saidfastener drivers to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities.21. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 12, further comprising ananvil.
 22. A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgicalinstrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge comprising: acartridge body, comprising: a deck; a plurality of fastener cavities; aplurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partiallystored within a said fastener cavity; and a firing member configured tomove said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing membercomprises: a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward theanvil; a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil;and extension means for extending said first ramp relative to saidsecond ramp.
 23. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 22, furthercomprising retraction means for retracting said first ramp relative tosaid second ramp.
 24. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising: acartridge body, comprising: a deck; a plurality of fastener cavities; aplurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partiallystored within a said fastener cavity; and a sled configured to ejectsaid fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprisesa first length in a first position and a second length in a secondposition, and wherein said second length is different than said firstlength.
 25. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 24, wherein saidsecond position comprises the end of a firing stroke, and wherein saidsecond length is shorter than said first length.